"It's impressive in the fact that they recognized our educational institutions, specifically Carnegie Mellon, as opportunities for manufacturers and advanced manufacturers to incorporate the technology they're developing into their manufacturing processes," he said Monday.

The company hasn't yet decided where its new facility will be, Kratz said.

Foxconn already has a small research and development operation in Harrisburg. Central Pennsylvania offers transport advantages over Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, said to the head of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation.

Employees at the Harrisburg-based Foxconn facility declined to comment.